Evaluation of biodiesel production from micro-algae in a photobioreactor and study of its physical and chemical properties

Biodiesel methyl ester or ethyl ester is a natural oil that is very similar to diesel and can be used as an alternative fuel for diesel engines. Micro-algae are able to produce and store high amounts of lipids. In this research, the production of biodiesel fuel from microalgae was investigated in a biofilm and some of its physical and chemical properties were determined.this study, a mixture of microalgae cultured from stagnant water was compared in a photobioreactor at two light intensities of 8000 and 16000 lux and the amount of biomass produced. The biomass produced under the light intensity of 8000 lux after isolation and drying was subjected to a direct trans-esterification process and biodiesel was produced.Analysis of biodiesel constituents of fatty acids was determined using GC / MS. Some biodiesel characteristics, such as density, cloudy point, spin point, and freezing point, were also studied. The light intensity of 8000 lux was superior to the magnitude of doubling of cells, specific growth rate and biomass production compared to 16000 lux light intensity, and was used to produce microalgae biomass. The results of GC / MS showed that biodiesel resulting from transesterification of lipid micro-algae contained 50. 31% saturated fatty acid and 49.69% unsaturated fatty acid. Pallic acid saturated fatty acids (C16: 0) with 39.16%, acetatanic acid (C18: 0), 65.6%, arachidic acid (0.72% C20: 0%), margaric acid (0.17% C17: 0%) and acids The unsaturated linoleic fat (C18: 2) with 27.47%, acidulic acid (C18: 1) with 20.04 and palmitoleic acid (C16: 1) formed 25.2% biodiesel. The produced biodiesel was 0.853 g / cm3 and the cloud was cloudy and its dropping point was 3- and 10 ° C.The results of the study showed that the microalgae culture in the photobiovert can be minimized by minimizing the cost and time. Also, fatty acid profiles and biodiesel physical properties indicated that the micro-algae biodiesel was of high quality and direct steady-state exchange could be a good option for producing biodiesel, as compared to other methods.